Darkness

Sally POV

"I'm so sorry," Dr. Solace said softly to us.

Paul and I were simply standing in a state of utter shock. We could not have heard the doctor correctly.

"We did everything that we could, but the infection had destroyed too much."

My trembling hands covered my mouth to stop the sob from breaking out. I'd have enough time to cry when the medical staff wasn't in the room. However, how could this happen?

My poor baby boy.

Paul gently wrapped her arms around me as I cried into his shoulder. This couldn't be happening. Percy was a shining star; he didn't deserve this.

I watched through teary eyes as the nurses wheeled my unconscious son into the room. He was sleeping so soundly, but as soon as he wakes up, his life would be changed forever.

The medical professionals left, and that's when I broke down. I cried hard into Paul's chest as he simply held me. He was crying softly as well, but he was also trying to stay strong for me and Percy.

Percy physically looked better.

The redness and swelling had mostly disappeared from his face and his eyes.

Not that it mattered now.

We just sat there for a few hours, mentally preparing ourselves for when Percy woke up. I didn't even know what I'd say or where I'd start.

The movement broke me out of my daze.

"Sally, he's awake," Paul said as he stood up from the couch. I got up as well.

Percy's sea-green eyes were open. He inherited those eyes from his father, and they were beautiful. Percy stayed silent as he stared at the ceiling.

Then, his hand fidgeted.

Both of his hands came up and desperately clutched his face. I watched sadly as he felt his cheeks and his eyes.

Percy sat up quickly with panic on his face.

"Mom, mom," he shouted urgently. I quickly went over and clutched his hand.

"I'm here, honey. I'm right here."

"Mom, what's happening? I- I can't see you, mom," he said desperately. He gripped my hand firmly. His voice was shaking with fear and desperation.

"Percy-"

I choked on my words and faltered off. I couldn't stop myself from crying. Percy wasn't even looking straight at me. My son couldn't look at all.

"Paul, are you here? I cannot see you. I-"

Percy faltered off as panic constricted his face. Tears were welling in his now nonfunctioning eyes.

"What's happening to me?" he asked desperately.

I couldn't answer my son. This was too much for anyone to handle, let alone a teenage boy who has his whole future ahead of him.

"Percy, the doctor said that the infection spread too much," Paul said softly. His strong voice was cracking as well.

"What does that mean?" Percy asked suddenly.

His body was trembling with emotion, and tears were already streaming down his face. I quickly embraced him.

"You're blind, son," Paul said clearly.

Percy's hands shook as they came back to his face, feeling his eyes. His mouth quivered as he tried to talk.

"No, I- I can't be blind," he whispered with a shaky voice.

"Percy," I said softly as I tried to hug and hold him again.

He pushed me away gently as he started to sob. Percy's head fell back on the pillow, and my son uncontrollably let out his desperate and helpless tears and cries.

I cried into Paul's chest as he rubbed my back.

"It's going to be okay," he whispered. But, his voice didn't convey any confidence.

I watched as Percy curled into a ball. His face was turned away from us as his right hand clutched the bed's sidebar tightly. His other hand was still feeling his face and eyes.

I hopelessly gazed at my blind son as he continued to cry.

***

Percy POV

Imagine only being able to see black. I woke up to that today, and I realized from my parents and my doctors that I'll only be able to see black.

My vision was permanently gone.

The stupid infection destroyed too much of my optic nerves. I sobbed for hours, and thankfully, no one disturbed me as I let myself go.

I fell asleep as I cried.

I woke up again desensitized to the news I received. It still startled me that I couldn't see anything after I woke up, but then, everything came flooding back.

"Percy, are you awake, honey?" my mother asked. .

I didn't know where she was standing in the room. The only thing that I knew was that her voice was coming from my left side.

It was a sad thought: I'd never get to see the people I loved again.

"Yeah, mom," I said as I reached my hand out at nothing.

My mother quickly took my hand and rubbed the back softly. "How are you feeling, honey?" she asked softly.

"I don't know," I said helplessly. "How long has it been since my surgery?"

"You've been in and out of consciousness for three days, honey."

"Is Paul here?" I asked since I didn't hear him yet.

"Paul is getting us some food, Percy. He's getting your favorite burgers from Demeter's cafe," my mother said.

I could sense the smile on her face from talking to me again.

"Does anyone else know?" I asked softly.

"It's a relatively small town, Percy. I'm sorry if it did get out before you're ready," she said.

I simply nodded as I rested my head back. I didn't expect anything less from our small town. Plus, losing your vision was a big deal.

I heard footsteps walking into my hospital room. I already forgot what the wall color of the room was. Probably white.

"Percy, you're awake. It's good to see you up," Paul said reassuringly.

"Yeah."

"Here, Percy, I got you some food. You're probably starving," he said. Now that he mentioned it, I was extremely hungry.

"Yeah, I'm very hungry," I said with a tentative smile.

"I thought so, here," Paul said.

I reached forward to feel empty air. My arms moved slightly, but I still couldn't reach or feel the food. I sighed helplessly.

"Sorry, Percy, here," Paul said sadly as he handly me the burger box.

My hand clutched the box firmly. My other hand felt for the rolling food table that they usually had at hospitals. It took some time to reach the table and pull it towards me. My mother helped a little, but she also knew that I wanted to do this by myself.

Eating was very hard. I spilled some fries and some water. I couldn've even do the most basic of things (ie eating) properly right now.

After I was done, I simply rested my head back. Tears welled in my eyes again at all of the things that I would have to give up.

Darkness was my life now. I should probably get used to it.

***

Piper POV

I stared at Sally Blofis. We were in the hospital waiting room. All of us had heard about what happened to Percy from various sources.

However, no one was certain of what happened until Mrs. Blofis confirmed it.

I gently gripped Jason's hand as he stared silently at Mrs. Blofis. There were several of Percy's friends here. Many members of his swim team and other friends were here.

"Sally, can we see our friend?" Leo asked.

"Percy doesn't want any visitors. I know you all care about Percy, but he is requesting some space," Sally said sadly.

Jason's grip tightened around my hand.

Percy and Jason were very good friends, practically best friends. They had so many similarities and their differences complimented each other.

I could tell that Jason was upset, and he wanted to see Percy. I rubbed his hand softly in order to reassure him. Even I wanted to see Percy again even though we didn't seriously know each other for that long.

"Please, kids, I appreciate that you all came to visit, but you should go home. I'll tell him that you all came," Sally said in assurance.

Everyone nodded and slowly started to leave.

"Hey, Pipes, do you still need a ride?" Annabeth asked softly.

"No, I'm gonna go with Jason. I want to make sure that he's okay. You know?"

"Yeah," Annabeth said understandably as she looked at Jason, who had a faraway look. I could tell that Jason didn't want to leave.

Frank left because he had to inform Coach Hedge of Percy's condition. Percy won't be swimming anymore. A blind student probably wasn't even allowed to be an athlete at our school.

Hazel and Nico went home in sadness. Hazel was pretty close to Percy because Percy helped the siblings deal with some bullies during our freshman year.

Annabeth, Thalia, and Leo left pretty soon after.

While Annabeth and Percy didn't get along, Annabeth at least knew Percy enough to offer support and comfort. Annabeth was smart and kind that way.

Jason and I were in the parking lot when Jason slapped the car's hood harshly. "He doesn't even want me to come to see him."

"Jason, you have to see it from his perspective," I said as I hugged him. "Percy's going through so much change, Jason, and he needs some space," I continued.

"He's like my best friend, Piper. I miss him, and I want to help," Jason said helplessly.

"Then, don't give up on him," I said softly.

Jason was listening to me intently.

"Don't give up on him, but also don't treat him any differently. He's still Percy."